The leader of the Sinaloa Cartel, Ismael ‘El Mayo’ Zambada, has formally requested his repatriation to Mexico to be tried under Mexican laws and avoid a possible death sentence in the United States. This action has raised concerns and tension in the bilateral relations between both countries.
The President of Mexico, Claudia Sheinbaum, referred to the letter sent by Zambada and highlighted the importance of ensuring a Mexican citizen's right to be tried according to due process, beyond the crimes he may have committed.
During a public meeting, Sheinbaum mentioned that the Zambada case is being addressed before the Attorney General's Office. The letter delivered by the drug trafficking leader, through his legal advisor, warns of a potential collapse in bilateral relations if action is not taken regarding what he considers an irregular and illegal detention by the United States.
Zambada expresses in his letter the fear of the death penalty he would face in New York, claiming that his rights were violated when he was kidnapped and threatened with execution. The criminal leader demands the Mexican state to intervene immediately and firmly, requesting guarantees that the death penalty will not be applied against him on U.S. territory.
Zambada's request for repatriation has been taken seriously by Mexican authorities, including prosecutor Alejandro Gertz Manero, who has been actively involved in this case.
